Until last year, I was a trader in the City working for BP, I spent my days on the phone and computer, talking to buyers and sellers and watching the market.
My role was to buy and sell oil to make money. It was a mixture of exciting highs and total boredom, but it was a great job and my career spanned London, Melbourne, Chicago and Houston.
I'd joined BP straight after graduating, but after 17 years behind a desk in the corporate world, I decided I had had enough. I knew there was more to life than working 50 hours a week in an office and wanted to do something more meaningful with my life. I had always loved animals, having ridden horses since I was a child. I now have my own horse, Aero, and a cat, called Herb, and I realised I wanted to incorporate that passion into my work. After looking into various animal-related career options, I realised I would need a biology qualification, so I decided to combine my day job with an A Level.
I decided learning online was the best option, as I could fit it in around work. But the course wasn’t easy it was a big effort to sit down in the evenings and study after work, especially after long, tiring days in a demanding environment. There were definitely times when collapsing on the sofa was a far more tempting prospect than hitting the textbooks. I usually spent either Saturday or Sunday studying too but I made sure I took a break to go on a run or a bike ride or just get some fresh air. It didn’t impact my social life that much, because I am beyond the stage of wanting to go out and party every night. My friends were all supportive, although some of them thought I was nuts! My boyfriend Ash, who’s 43 was a great help too, keeping me motivated when I felt like it was too much to manage.
I was so relieved and happy when I found out I had got an A in the exam. All that effort was worth it. I decided to take a career break, and completed some work experience at a few vets and the livery yard where I keep my horse. I’ve returned to my job in the City temporarily, but it’s my intention to leave within a year to follow a new career path. I am not sure what it will be yet all I know is I would like to work in the outdoors and working with animals would be even better. The decision to give up a highly paid job and step into the unknown is a bit scary, but I think the job satisfaction will more than make up for less earnings.
The distance learning biology course made me realise that I actually enjoy learning new things and that my brain cells haven’t suffered too badly in nearly 20 years of working life. It has opened my eyes to new options, and I’ve realised that now is the time to grasp the opportunity and change my life for the better.